“Climate is `in more trouble than we thought”‘ (Nov. 23) conveys the message that climate change or global warming is accelerating. While this might be true, and the data charts presented are “accurate,” the data has been cherry-picked to create a misleading impression. Much is made in the article of the fact that the sea level has risen 1.3 inches (the text says about an inch and a half) since 1997, which equates to 1.1 inches per decade. Longer-term data indicates the sea level has been rising at an average rate of 0.8inches per decade since about 1925 with substantial fluctuation about that rate. In fact, sometimes the sea level falls for a few years before resuming the rise. Therefore, the data cited are at a much higher rate of change than normal, but the sea level is fully consistent with the longer-term trend. The report chose a very low starting point and appears to be an attempt to scare the public into greater financial support.

Climate change, global warming, and carbon-dioxide increase are all serious issues that we need to address. But this article reduces the credibility of the campaign to inform the public about this problem.